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President Trump has issued an executive order halting federal approvals for new wind farms, potentially stinging both onshore and offshore projects. The move could delay or halt projects in private lands as well as existing ones already under review. Critics within the wind energy industry argue the order reflects outdated fears about environmental impacts, such as whales in the Atlantic, which lack supporting evidence.
The policy also introduces legal uncertainty for the sector, as Biden administration efforts to defend approved offshore wind projects could slow down defense work moving forward. Existing projects, like Revolution Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, face legal challenges from local groups opposing wind energy.
Opponents of offshore wind projects praise Trump’s action, citing concerns over disruptions to fishing communities and views, though some industry leaders defend Biden’s permitting practices as rigorous. The order could delay plans for floating turbines in California and the Gulf of Maine, raising cost and scheduling issues.
The executive move also includes a moratorium on the Lava Ridge Wind Project, a 231-turbine development opposed by state lawmakers despite prior permits under Biden’s administration. The decision reflects Trump’s broader push to address climate change with traditional energy industries rather than clean energy efforts.
As the industry navigates this political and regulatory shift, challenges for U.S. wind power could intensify, raising questions about its long-term viability in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/climate/wind-power-executive-order-trump.html